Factors Affecting the Implementation of Citizen Science in Iranian Universities

Citizen science is a form of public participation research based on public participation that provides multiple benefits to researchers, citizens, policymakers, and society, as well as research and innovation cycles. Literature review indicates that universities have a significant role in management and implementation of citizen science projects. Despite the emphasis on citizen participation in the high level national documents, citizen`s knowledge has not received much attention in Iran. The purpose of this study was to highlight the role of universities in the implementation and promotion of citizen science projects and to provide policy recommendations for the successful implementation of such projects in universities.  This study used a mixed research method. First, using a qualitative approach and the meta-analysis technique, 224 articles published in scientific journals with related keywords were reviewed and finally 30 selected articles were analyzed and the factors affecting the implementation of citizen science in universities were extracted. Then, in quantity stage,  after confirming the factors with the help of 12 experts in the field of participatory sciences, , the relationships between these factors were identified by the DEMATEL  technique. The results showed that matters such as government’s support of citizen science, public economic conditions in the region, political situation in the country, number and diversity of experts in universities, university mission, ethics of participatory sciences and university budget are the causal factors and policies need to focus on improving them. The results also showed that matters such as public trust in the projects and their aims, participation of university constituencies  and their diversity, the participation culture in the region, public understanding of science are the effects. Finally, suggestions were proposed regarding centralization of policy making in the causal factors in order to facilitate the achievement of desired results.